Lightbox and Neon to merge in one app
Sky Television will combine Lightbox and Neon in July, meaning customers will be able to access all the programming on both of the streaming television services through a single app.
The merged service will launch on July 7 under the Neon brand, at Neon’s existing price of $13.95 a month.
Lightbox was set up by Spark in 2014 as a rival to the likes of Netflix and Sky TV.
But Spark decided to sell it to Sky in December for $6 million.
Spark’s decision to exit the market was widely viewed as recognition there was not space for two locally-owned subscriptionbased streaming services that dished out mainstream television shows and movies.
Lightbox has come in standard and premium versions for $12.99 and $15.99 a month, so there may be a small price increase for subscribers on the standard version when the services merge.
However, Spark said that after July 20, customers would be able to add Neon to their Spark bill for $9.95 a month. A deal that gave customers Lightbox free with some broadband plans will end.
Sky said the ‘‘new Neon’’ would include features and content from both Lightbox and Neon. Although Neon’s brand will remain, it appears the new service will be based around Lightbox’s technology.
Sky TV initially said on its website yesterday that Neon users would lose some of their settings, such as their watchlists and bookmarks, when they merged, and they might need to refresh their app.
But spokeswoman Sue Hamilton said that information was not up-to-date and Neon customer’s watchlists and bookmarks should transfer across after a delay of a few days.
It was in the process of updating that information on its website yesterday.